I don't buy near as many watches as I used to. Don't get me wrong, I don't even near starve for new ones but, I mean, this time when I went to China, I brought back 2 watches. Just two.

Saw this one on Ebay and grabbed it like a crow at a tinsel party. I'n not entirely convinced about the hands, but they're period "design" correct, except the second hand tip has no red.

But the dial is wonderful and right up close it's got gorgeous patina. It just oozes warmth, so as a daily wearer, I'm happy as a clam. It was a decent price and I love the indices, too. Shanghai A-581...or close, kinda. Still, I think it's beautiful.

Please excuse my poor camera-fu.

Last edited by AlbertaTime on October 21st 2016, 9:32am, edited 1 time in total.

That really is a lovely patination of the dial, Ron. I also love the way the movement looks; it's hard to describe, and the closest I can come to describing it is by saying that it has a "burnished" look, as if the years had burnished the movement to give it its darkened cast. Above all, though, I love the way they were able to get the Chinese symbol(s) for Shanghai on the top of the crown. Awesome, just damned awesome...

PaDQ (Probably a Dumb Question): is that a "bump" movement, or just an irregular-looking auto movement?

Well done, AT, that's a fine specimen! The Corinthian leather NATO looks top-notch, too. I would imagine it's fairly difficult to find something of that vintage in as good shape as you found here. Enjoy!